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Today's Interesting Engineering
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In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Small V8 engine made from Lego works on compressed air
It seems that if you have a good imagination you can make just about anything from Lego. We have seen some great ideas of what it is possible to make using the bricks and more recently we have come across a handmade small working V8 engine made entirely out of Lego bricks. This isn’t just something to look at, it really is a V8 pneumatic engine that works.
Of course not everyone is going to be able to replicate a working V8 engine in Lego bricks as the person behind it must have a lot of mechanical knowledge, plus lots of spare time and dedication to put this together.
The sound of this tiny working engine is great and it makes you wonder what we will see next. Maybe the car to go with the engine?
Via [Wonderfulengineering]
The post Small V8 engine made from Lego works on compressed air appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Small V8 engine made from Lego works on compressed air
It seems that if you have a good imagination you can make just about anything from Lego. We have seen some great ideas of what it is possible to make using the bricks and more recently we have come across a handmade small working V8 engine made entirely out of Lego bricks. This isn’t just something to look at, it really is a V8 pneumatic engine that works.
[Image Courtesy of Wonderfulengineering]
Of course not everyone is going to be able to replicate a working V8 engine in Lego bricks as the person behind it must have a lot of mechanical knowledge, plus lots of spare time and dedication to put this together.
[Image Courtesy of Wonderfulengineering]
The sound of this tiny working engine is great and it makes you wonder what we will see next. Maybe the car to go with the engine?
[Image Courtesy of Wonderfulengineering]
Via [Wonderfulengineering]
The post Small V8 engine made from Lego works on compressed air appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
What happens when you short out 244 batteries?
You may have got an old battery and tried attaching an alligator lead to short it out and see what happens. You may have even got a couple of batteries and coupled them together and then attached the lead and seen you get a bit larger spark. But what if you get hold of a whole lot of batteries, 244 to be precise and link them all together and then short them out? Well check it out to see as this is exactly what someone did.
[Image Courtesy of ScienceDump]
The person put all 244 batteries in rows connected together and they came to around 2000 volts dc on the meter, check out what happens when they are shorted out and when an LED light was attached to the batteries.
Via [ScienceDump]
The post What happens when you short out 244 batteries? appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
What happens when you short out 244 batteries?
You may have got an old battery and tried attaching an alligator lead to short it out and see what happens. You may have even got a couple of batteries and coupled them together and then attached the lead and seen you get a bit larger spark. But what if you get hold of a whole lot of batteries, 244 to be precise and link them all together and then short them out? Well check it out to see as this is exactly what someone did.
[Image Courtesy of ScienceDump]
The person put all 244 batteries in rows connected together and they came to around 2000 volts dc on the meter, check out what happens when they are shorted out and when an LED light was attached to the batteries.
Via [ScienceDump]
The post What happens when you short out 244 batteries? appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Stanford engineers plan to convert US to 100% clean and renewable energy by 2050
A group of researchers at Stanford University released a study showing that it is possible for the United States to have 100% clean and renewable energy – such as wind, water and sunlight. The group, led by civil and environmental engineering professor Mark Z. Jacobson, pointed out that up to 85% of the US energy demand could be met by clean sources by 2030, and a complete transition by 2050.
Jacobson and his researchers considered a scenario in which all the cars in the US become electric and homes and industry would use only fully electric heating and cooling systems. It would be a significant change for such a large population, but considering the integration of existing technologies, it could be possible.
The study is the most detailed one ever conducted on the subject worldwide. The group did a thorough survey of the energy demand in each of the 50 states considering it’s consumption in all its sectors – residential, industrial, commercial and transportation – and showed all the different energy sources currently used. Finally they studied the ideal use of clean energy source for each state. If all the suggested changes were implemented in all states, the country’s energy sources would be as follows: 50% of energy could come from onshore and offshore wind farms, 45.2% from solar panels and the remaining 4.8% from ocean waves, hydroelectric and geothermal power plants.
The group believes that a complete change in the way energy is produced in the country would not only help to fight global warming, but also create new jobs and help to stabilize energy prices.
“When you account for the health and climate costs – as well as the rising price of fossil fuels – wind, water and solar are half the cost of conventional systems,” Jacobson said. “A conversion of this scale would also create jobs, stabilize fuel prices, reduce pollution-related health problems and eliminate emissions from the United States. There is very little downside to a conversion, at least based on this science.”
Via: phys.org
Source: Stanford
The post Stanford engineers plan to convert US to 100% clean and renewable energy by 2050 appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Stanford engineers plan to convert US to 100% clean and renewable energy by 2050
A group of researchers at Stanford University released a study showing that it is possible for the United States to have 100% clean and renewable energy – such as wind, water and sunlight. The group, led by civil and environmental engineering professor Mark Z. Jacobson, pointed out that up to 85% of the US energy demand could be met by clean sources by 2030, and a complete transition by 2050.
Image credit: Vaclav Volrab/Shutterstock
Jacobson and his researchers considered a scenario in which all the cars in the US become electric and homes and industry would use only fully electric heating and cooling systems. It would be a significant change for such a large population, but considering the integration of existing technologies, it could be possible.
The study is the most detailed one ever conducted on the subject worldwide. The group did a thorough survey of the energy demand in each of the 50 states considering it’s consumption in all its sectors – residential, industrial, commercial and transportation – and showed all the different energy sources currently used. Finally they studied the ideal use of clean energy source for each state. If all the suggested changes were implemented in all states, the country’s energy sources would be as follows: 50% of energy could come from onshore and offshore wind farms, 45.2% from solar panels and the remaining 4.8% from ocean waves, hydroelectric and geothermal power plants.
The group believes that a complete change in the way energy is produced in the country would not only help to fight global warming, but also create new jobs and help to stabilize energy prices.
“When you account for the health and climate costs – as well as the rising price of fossil fuels – wind, water and solar are half the cost of conventional systems,” Jacobson said. “A conversion of this scale would also create jobs, stabilize fuel prices, reduce pollution-related health problems and eliminate emissions from the United States. There is very little downside to a conversion, at least based on this science.”
Via: phys.org
Source: Stanford
The post Stanford engineers plan to convert US to 100% clean and renewable energy by 2050 appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
That Lego V8 is really, really cool.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Are CubeSensors a Better Mousetrap?
In 2014, TechCrunch teamed with the Consumer Electronics Association and sponsored a competition, Hardware Battlefield. Competitors got free exhibition space at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, and the winner took home $50,000 and a trophy. That winner was CubeSensor, a Slovanian company lead by CEO Ales Spetic, and CTO Marko Mrdjenovič. Now located in the U.K., CubeSensor followed up the win with a $700,000 investment from fellow Slovanian company Bitstamp, (that cash infusion came in the form of Bitcoin, a rare occasion for a start up, indeed!)
In essence, CubeSensors are a home health monitoring system, a souped up weather station for your indoor environment. The cubes themselves are small and pretty slick looking. They activate by shaking; colored lighting then indicates, in broad strokes, the status of the spaces you’re monitoring; a visit to a proprietary app gives specific data about what’s bugging the cube in question, and then you can head off and fix it. Each cube houses seven sensors, measuring air quality, temperature, humidity, noise, light, atmospheric pressure, and acceleration. These are not, by the way, cheap tools; an entry level two cube set up will set you back $360, shipped to your door: A six cube rig runs $670 delivered.
What are the benefits of all this technology? That’s the on point question, without a doubt. The company touts a laundry list of safety, utility efficiency, home security, other product safety, better health, and the recently added better sleep – That last one slipped into CubeSensor vernacular after a sleep monitoring startup named Sense raised over $2.4 million bucks in a very successful Kickstarter campaign.
There’s no doubt that having a decent grip on your environment is a good thing, but to some degree, calling a CubeSensor system a solution seems a bit disingenuous, like attributing health benefits to a weather station. The fact is that this product is a ‘system’ only unto itself; there’s no connectivity to the infrastructure of your home – It can tell you that the lights are on, or that it’s humid, but that’s it. In an interview, CTO Mrdjenovič was quoted as saying, “If you know what’s wrong with your environment, you can change it for the better.” That’s true, but again, you have to do the changing, because CubeSensor can’t.
Maybe I’m asking too much, but I’ve had significant exposure to automated environmental controls. I coordinated the installation of such a system, so I know specifically what’s out there and what’s possible in the commercial realm. That technology not only monitors myriad environmental factors, but manages the subsystems that control those same factors. CubeSensor makes subtle, but extensive references to being able to “monitor and adjust conditions for the better;” they also routinely term their equipment “cutting edge” and “industrial” in quality or feature. This may be a better mousetrap than inexpensive thermometers, hygrometers, and the like, but the fact remains that all they can do is notify you about conditions. To me, ‘cutting edge’ and ‘industrial’ imply the capabilities I outlined above; until CubeSensor gets a lot closer to that standard, they’ll remain an expensive curio, for my mind.
The post Are CubeSensors a Better Mousetrap? appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Are CubeSensors a Better Mousetrap?
In 2014, TechCrunch teamed with the Consumer Electronics Association and sponsored a competition, Hardware Battlefield. Competitors got free exhibition space at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, and the winner took home $50,000 and a trophy. That winner was CubeSensor, a Slovanian company lead by CEO Ales Spetic, and CTO Marko Mrdjenovič. Now located in the U.K., CubeSensor followed up the win with a $700,000 investment from fellow Slovanian company Bitstamp, (that cash infusion came in the form of Bitcoin, a rare occasion for a start up, indeed!)
In essence, CubeSensors are a home health monitoring system, a souped up weather station for your indoor environment. The cubes themselves are small and pretty slick looking. They activate by shaking; colored lighting then indicates, in broad strokes, the status of the spaces you’re monitoring; a visit to a proprietary app gives specific data about what’s bugging the cube in question, and then you can head off and fix it. Each cube houses seven sensors, measuring air quality, temperature, humidity, noise, light, atmospheric pressure, and acceleration. These are not, by the way, cheap tools; an entry level two cube set up will set you back $360, shipped to your door: A six cube rig runs $670 delivered.
What are the benefits of all this technology? That’s the on point question, without a doubt. The company touts a laundry list of safety, utility efficiency, home security, other product safety, better health, and the recently added better sleep – That last one slipped into CubeSensor vernacular after a sleep monitoring startup named Sense raised over $2.4 million bucks in a very successful Kickstarter campaign.
There’s no doubt that having a decent grip on your environment is a good thing, but to some degree, calling a CubeSensor system a solution seems a bit disingenuous, like attributing health benefits to a weather station. The fact is that this product is a ‘system’ only unto itself; there’s no connectivity to the infrastructure of your home – It can tell you that the lights are on, or that it’s humid, but that’s it. In an interview, CTO Mrdjenovič was quoted as saying, “If you know what’s wrong with your environment, you can change it for the better.” That’s true, but again, you have to do the changing, because CubeSensor can’t.
Maybe I’m asking too much, but I’ve had significant exposure to automated environmental controls. I coordinated the installation of such a system, so I know specifically what’s out there and what’s possible in the commercial realm. That technology not only monitors myriad environmental factors, but manages the subsystems that control those same factors. CubeSensor makes subtle, but extensive references to being able to “monitor and adjust conditions for the better;” they also routinely term their equipment “cutting edge” and “industrial” in quality or feature. This may be a better mousetrap than inexpensive thermometers, hygrometers, and the like, but the fact remains that all they can do is notify you about conditions. To me, ‘cutting edge’ and ‘industrial’ imply the capabilities I outlined above; until CubeSensor gets a lot closer to that standard, they’ll remain an expensive curio, for my mind.
The post Are CubeSensors a Better Mousetrap? appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Small UK Tinywood Homes come with own hot tub
Tinywood Homes in the UK is a relatively small company who offer tiny homes both for rental and for sale. They have property on which they have located four of the small homes to those who are looking for a very unique place to stay on holiday.
Each of the small Tinywood Homes offers a bathroom, a compact kitchen, living spaces and enough room for between 2 and 5 people to sleep in, they also have their own hot tub that works by a wood fire.
The small homes prove that just because a home is small it doesn’t mean that you have to do away with all the luxuries in life and with each having its own hot tub this is testament to that fact. The company offer different sized small homes with the smallest being the Tinywood One. This small house has been designed from wood and steel and comes complete with its own granite work surfaces in a kitchen that is well appointed and which comes with its own fold up dining table with enough space for five. It also features a master bedroom with its own King Size bed and offers a first floor with three full sized single beds. This has been built around a shipping container of 20 feet.
The Tinywood Two is based on a mobile chassis and they are the perfect thing for those who want to check out what life is like living in a small home without making a lasting commitment. This is a property of 16 feet and of course it has the same high quality specs as the other home, one of the main differences being that the bedrooms are upstairs while the ground floor has a lounge and dining room with a convertible bed. This too comes with its own kitchen with worktops and dining table that is foldable.
If all you want is office space or a smaller place just to get away for a couple of hours to get some peace then you could go for the Teeny Weeny House. This is the perfect size for a summer house, office, outdoor pub or can be used as an additional guest annex.
Via [TinyWood Homes]
The post Small UK Tinywood Homes come with own hot tub appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Small UK Tinywood Homes come with own hot tub
Tinywood Homes in the UK is a relatively small company who offer tiny homes both for rental and for sale. They have property on which they have located four of the small homes to those who are looking for a very unique place to stay on holiday.
[Image Courtesy of TinyWood Homes]
Each of the small Tinywood Homes offers a bathroom, a compact kitchen, living spaces and enough room for between 2 and 5 people to sleep in, they also have their own hot tub that works by a wood fire.
[Image Courtesy of TinyWood Homes]
The small homes prove that just because a home is small it doesn’t mean that you have to do away with all the luxuries in life and with each having its own hot tub this is testament to that fact. The company offer different sized small homes with the smallest being the Tinywood One. This small house has been designed from wood and steel and comes complete with its own granite work surfaces in a kitchen that is well appointed and which comes with its own fold up dining table with enough space for five. It also features a master bedroom with its own King Size bed and offers a first floor with three full sized single beds. This has been built around a shipping container of 20 feet.
[Image Courtesy of TinyWood Homes]
The Tinywood Two is based on a mobile chassis and they are the perfect thing for those who want to check out what life is like living in a small home without making a lasting commitment. This is a property of 16 feet and of course it has the same high quality specs as the other home, one of the main differences being that the bedrooms are upstairs while the ground floor has a lounge and dining room with a convertible bed. This too comes with its own kitchen with worktops and dining table that is foldable.
[Image Courtesy of TinyWood Homes]
If all you want is office space or a smaller place just to get away for a couple of hours to get some peace then you could go for the Teeny Weeny House. This is the perfect size for a summer house, office, outdoor pub or can be used as an additional guest annex.
[Image Courtesy of TinyWood Homes]
Via [TinyWood Homes]
The post Small UK Tinywood Homes come with own hot tub appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Beaches in Dubai get smart thanks to the Smart Palm
Dubai is a country that is well-known for engineering and design feats when it comes to boosting tourism and now the beaches are about to get smart palm trees. The Smart Palm will offer beach goers high speed Wi-Fi for free along with providing them with up to date weather information and a charging station for devices.
Many beaches in Dubai will make use of the palms, there is going to be a total of 103 of the Smart Palms installed. The palms will be available on all of the public beaches before the end of the year. Sitting under a palm tree in the shade will now not only help to keep you cool but also keep your device charged. The Smart Palm is said to be an electronic palm tree by the designers as it provides smart services to people on the beach. The tree has a touchscreen that shows information which includes information about Dubai in general along with the beach. Other information includes the sea conditions, the amenities in the region and transportation.
The Smart Palms are around six meters in height and have been designed in the shape of the date palm. Each of the palm trees is able to offer support for 50 users at any one time and comes with 8 recharging points for devices, multimedia displays and public announcement system. The trees are linked up to a central control centre which will be monitored 24/7. The palms also feature an emergency button along with a CCTV infrared camera offering a view of 360 degrees. The trees are also self-sufficient as they have a mono crystal solar panel which provides as much as 21% efficiency.
Photovoltaic panels provide power to the Smart Palm by way of panels shaped to fit the leaves and they offer all the power for each of the palms. Each of the palm trees can support charging for up to eight mobile phone chargers and offer seating along with tables for beach goers to relax while their devices are charging. They are also capable of charging smartphones up to 2.5 times faster than regular speed.
Via [Smart-Palm]
The post Beaches in Dubai get smart thanks to the Smart Palm appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Beaches in Dubai get smart thanks to the Smart Palm
Dubai is a country that is well-known for engineering and design feats when it comes to boosting tourism and now the beaches are about to get smart palm trees. The Smart Palm will offer beach goers high speed Wi-Fi for free along with providing them with up to date weather information and a charging station for devices.
[Image Courtesy of Smart-Palm ]
Many beaches in Dubai will make use of the palms, there is going to be a total of 103 of the Smart Palms installed. The palms will be available on all of the public beaches before the end of the year. Sitting under a palm tree in the shade will now not only help to keep you cool but also keep your device charged. The Smart Palm is said to be an electronic palm tree by the designers as it provides smart services to people on the beach. The tree has a touchscreen that shows information which includes information about Dubai in general along with the beach. Other information includes the sea conditions, the amenities in the region and transportation.
[Image Courtesy of Smart-Palm ]
The Smart Palms are around six meters in height and have been designed in the shape of the date palm. Each of the palm trees is able to offer support for 50 users at any one time and comes with 8 recharging points for devices, multimedia displays and public announcement system. The trees are linked up to a central control centre which will be monitored 24/7. The palms also feature an emergency button along with a CCTV infrared camera offering a view of 360 degrees. The trees are also self-sufficient as they have a mono crystal solar panel which provides as much as 21% efficiency.
Photovoltaic panels provide power to the Smart Palm by way of panels shaped to fit the leaves and they offer all the power for each of the palms. Each of the palm trees can support charging for up to eight mobile phone chargers and offer seating along with tables for beach goers to relax while their devices are charging. They are also capable of charging smartphones up to 2.5 times faster than regular speed.
Via [Smart-Palm]
The post Beaches in Dubai get smart thanks to the Smart Palm appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
MX3D plans to 3D-print a steel bridge in Amsterdam
After seeing 3D printed houses, cars and even body parts, the new ambitious plan using such technology is to 3D print a bridge over a canal in the heart of the Amsterdam. 3D printing research and development firm MX3D is leading the project, which also includes software developers Autodesk and construction outfit Heijmans.
MX3D developed a revolutionary, multi-axis robotic 3D printer that can “draw” steel structures in three dimensions.“What distinguishes our technology from traditional 3D printing methods is that we work according to the ‘printing outside the box’ principle,” says Tim Geurtjens, CTO at MX3D. “By printing with six-axis industrial robots, we are no longer limited to a square box in which everything happens. Printing a functional, life-size bridge is of course the ideal way to showcase the endless possibilities of this technique.”
The robots will move across the canal printing the bridge while printing its own supports along the way so that it can operate autonomously. The machine heats the metal up to a temperature of 1500°C in order to weld and assemble the structure little by little. This technique also dispenses scaffolding, since the robot uses the structure that it prints as its own support. The project should start in September and end in 2017 and is expected to become a lever for this technology, which can be used in numerous construction projects, including tall buildings.
“The MX3D platform is a potential game changer,” said Maurice Conti, director of strategic innovation at Autodesk. “Breaking free of the traditional limitations of additive manufacturing – small-size prints and poor material performance – this technology opens up possibilities for architectural-scale, relatively low-cost, metal structures that are as complex as the designer’s imagination.”
Project creators are still negotiating with the city council of the city of Amsterdam to find the ideal place to build the bridge. “I strongly believe in the future of digital production and local production, in “the new craft”. This bridge will show how 3D printing finally enters the world of large-scale, functional objects and sustainable materials while allowing unprecedented freedom of form,” says the artist and designer Joris Laarman. “The symbolism of the bridge is a beautiful metaphor to connect the technology of the future with the old city, in a way that brings out the best of both worlds.”
Source: MX3D
Via: Inhabitat
The post MX3D plans to 3D-print a steel bridge in Amsterdam appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
MX3D plans to 3D-print a steel bridge in Amsterdam
After seeing 3D printed houses, cars and even body parts, the new ambitious plan using such technology is to 3D print a bridge over a canal in the heart of the Amsterdam. 3D printing research and development firm MX3D is leading the project, which also includes software developers Autodesk and construction outfit Heijmans.
MX3D developed a revolutionary, multi-axis robotic 3D printer that can “draw” steel structures in three dimensions.“What distinguishes our technology from traditional 3D printing methods is that we work according to the ‘printing outside the box’ principle,” says Tim Geurtjens, CTO at MX3D. “By printing with six-axis industrial robots, we are no longer limited to a square box in which everything happens. Printing a functional, life-size bridge is of course the ideal way to showcase the endless possibilities of this technique.”
The robots will move across the canal printing the bridge while printing its own supports along the way so that it can operate autonomously. The machine heats the metal up to a temperature of 1500°C in order to weld and assemble the structure little by little. This technique also dispenses scaffolding, since the robot uses the structure that it prints as its own support. The project should start in September and end in 2017 and is expected to become a lever for this technology, which can be used in numerous construction projects, including tall buildings.
“The MX3D platform is a potential game changer,” said Maurice Conti, director of strategic innovation at Autodesk. “Breaking free of the traditional limitations of additive manufacturing – small-size prints and poor material performance – this technology opens up possibilities for architectural-scale, relatively low-cost, metal structures that are as complex as the designer’s imagination.”
Project creators are still negotiating with the city council of the city of Amsterdam to find the ideal place to build the bridge. “I strongly believe in the future of digital production and local production, in “the new craft”. This bridge will show how 3D printing finally enters the world of large-scale, functional objects and sustainable materials while allowing unprecedented freedom of form,” says the artist and designer Joris Laarman. “The symbolism of the bridge is a beautiful metaphor to connect the technology of the future with the old city, in a way that brings out the best of both worlds.”
Source: MX3D
Via: Inhabitat
The post MX3D plans to 3D-print a steel bridge in Amsterdam appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
That is just beyond my meager comprehension.
Mine too!
Such brilliant minds to envision, design and built things.
I often watch "How It's Made" on the Discovery Channel and the automation and the manufacturing machines boggles the minds.
Somebody had to sit down and design these things - and they seem to work flawlessly.
It's simply amazing!
Rocky, I guess I am getting old!
I reckon that happens if one lives long enough. 
Today's engineering is really something else!
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
GoSun Grill is the solar oven that can cook during the night
The GoSun Grill began life on Kickstarter and has been a great success, being a brand new redesign of a modern grill. The grill is now available for pre-order and it is said to be able to cook faster, boil and fry enough quantity for eight people without the need for fuel as it works on solar power day or night, with the thermal battery accessory.
There are many benefits to the GoSun Grill and anyone can use it to cook without the risk of burning the food. All you need to do is set the grill up and you are ready to go. Thanks to the fact that the grill cooks without fuel, transporting it around is easy, and so is cleaning up after cooking. The grill cooks the food evenly and at the same time it keeps in the moisture.
As there is no fuel involved you can take it anywhere, including the deck, the park or even the beach, it is fully portable. What makes the GoSun Grill stand out above other grills is the fact that the grill is able to retain the heat it takes from the sun during the day allowing people to cook long after the sun has gone down.
The GoSun Grill features a stainless steel insulated lid, steel panels with enamel, an aluminium tray and it comes with soft touch rubber grips. It has rubber feet which means it is stable, a frame of stainless steel and mirrored aluminium reflectors. It remains cool to the touch so there is no risk of getting burnt and due to it retaining a high level of moisture the grill is a healthy option.
The Thermal Battery add-on pack is claimed to be a breakthrough in innovation as it is this that captures the heat allowing the grill to be used while it’s cloudy and raining or at night. The idea for the battery came about after working in the rainy season in Guatemala. A pilot study had participants using the grill daily; however they needed to be able to cook when it was raining. Essentially it began life as a sand filled battery and after testing for a year a medium was found that was able to hold a large amount of heat along with being able to emit the heat while remaining at an even temperature to ensure optimal cooking.
The GoSun Grill is available for pre-order for the special price of $499.00. The regular price will be $549.00, with delivery expected to take place in October 2015.
Via [GoSunStove]
The post GoSun Grill is the solar oven that can cook during the night appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
GoSun Grill is the solar oven that can cook during the night
The GoSun Grill began life on Kickstarter and has been a great success, being a brand new redesign of a modern grill. The grill is now available for pre-order and it is said to be able to cook faster, boil and fry enough quantity for eight people without the need for fuel as it works on solar power day or night, with the thermal battery accessory.
[Image Courtesy of GoSunStove]
There are many benefits to the GoSun Grill and anyone can use it to cook without the risk of burning the food. All you need to do is set the grill up and you are ready to go. Thanks to the fact that the grill cooks without fuel, transporting it around is easy, and so is cleaning up after cooking. The grill cooks the food evenly and at the same time it keeps in the moisture.
[Image Courtesy of GoSunStove]
As there is no fuel involved you can take it anywhere, including the deck, the park or even the beach, it is fully portable. What makes the GoSun Grill stand out above other grills is the fact that the grill is able to retain the heat it takes from the sun during the day allowing people to cook long after the sun has gone down.
[Image Courtesy of GoSunStove]
The GoSun Grill features a stainless steel insulated lid, steel panels with enamel, an aluminium tray and it comes with soft touch rubber grips. It has rubber feet which means it is stable, a frame of stainless steel and mirrored aluminium reflectors. It remains cool to the touch so there is no risk of getting burnt and due to it retaining a high level of moisture the grill is a healthy option.
[Image Courtesy of GoSunStove]
The Thermal Battery add-on pack is claimed to be a breakthrough in innovation as it is this that captures the heat allowing the grill to be used while it’s cloudy and raining or at night. The idea for the battery came about after working in the rainy season in Guatemala. A pilot study had participants using the grill daily; however they needed to be able to cook when it was raining. Essentially it began life as a sand filled battery and after testing for a year a medium was found that was able to hold a large amount of heat along with being able to emit the heat while remaining at an even temperature to ensure optimal cooking.
[Image Courtesy of GoSunStove]
The GoSun Grill is available for pre-order for the special price of $499.00. The regular price will be $549.00, with delivery expected to take place in October 2015.
[Image Courtesy of GoSunStove]
Via [GoSunStove]
The post GoSun Grill is the solar oven that can cook during the night appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Microsoft building an army of drones to stop mosquito epidemics
There are many uses for drones; with one of the most popular being recording videos, but Microsoft has other ideas for their army of drones that will go by the name of Project Premonition. They plan on using the drones to be able to detect viruses and stop them from potentially infecting a large amount of people.
Drone technology could save many lives in many remote regions where malaria and dengue fever run riot. One of the keys to saving lives is being able to catch the mosquitoes and then study the disease they carry. A single mosquito can often be one of the most dangerous of all animals as it has so many pathogens.
Scientists have been looking for a low cost way of being able to catch and study mosquitoes as right now the only way of doing it is to use traps and suspend them in trees. However, the downside to this is that they have to be collected by hand. If the new project of Microsoft goes to plan the process could be speeded up a great deal and of course using drones would make it easier and cheaper. Drones could be sent out and they would cover a large distance while at the same time coming back with samples that are larger than what the scientists get at present.
Along with being able to monitor the spread of known diseases, new ones could be found and this could stop epidemics from spreading. Scientists are working on developing software to process genetic data more accurately using their UAV mosquito hunting fleet of drones. This would allow scientists to gain a better understanding of viruses along with how those viruses are spread.
In March a feasibility study was undertaken by Microsoft in the Caribbean and findings were then revealed. Microsoft is working alongside academic partners so that Project Premonition can become reality, hopefully within the next five years.
Advanced warnings of an epidemic is critical as clinics could be up and running a lot earlier and vaccines could be made ready, along with travelling restrictions being put in place and stop any situation from becoming worse. Of course if the drones are to have success they would have to be able to work on their own so that they can navigate environments and cover more land. The team behind the drones are optimistic and they are hoping to be able to attach the mosquito traps to the drones.
Via [ScienceAlert]
The post Microsoft building an army of drones to stop mosquito epidemics appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Microsoft building an army of drones to stop mosquito epidemics
There are many uses for drones; with one of the most popular being recording videos, but Microsoft has other ideas for their army of drones that will go by the name of Project Premonition. They plan on using the drones to be able to detect viruses and stop them from potentially infecting a large amount of people.
[Image Courtesy of ScienceAlert]
Drone technology could save many lives in many remote regions where malaria and dengue fever run riot. One of the keys to saving lives is being able to catch the mosquitoes and then study the disease they carry. A single mosquito can often be one of the most dangerous of all animals as it has so many pathogens.
Scientists have been looking for a low cost way of being able to catch and study mosquitoes as right now the only way of doing it is to use traps and suspend them in trees. However, the downside to this is that they have to be collected by hand. If the new project of Microsoft goes to plan the process could be speeded up a great deal and of course using drones would make it easier and cheaper. Drones could be sent out and they would cover a large distance while at the same time coming back with samples that are larger than what the scientists get at present.
Along with being able to monitor the spread of known diseases, new ones could be found and this could stop epidemics from spreading. Scientists are working on developing software to process genetic data more accurately using their UAV mosquito hunting fleet of drones. This would allow scientists to gain a better understanding of viruses along with how those viruses are spread.
In March a feasibility study was undertaken by Microsoft in the Caribbean and findings were then revealed. Microsoft is working alongside academic partners so that Project Premonition can become reality, hopefully within the next five years.
Advanced warnings of an epidemic is critical as clinics could be up and running a lot earlier and vaccines could be made ready, along with travelling restrictions being put in place and stop any situation from becoming worse. Of course if the drones are to have success they would have to be able to work on their own so that they can navigate environments and cover more land. The team behind the drones are optimistic and they are hoping to be able to attach the mosquito traps to the drones.
Via [ScienceAlert]
The post Microsoft building an army of drones to stop mosquito epidemics appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Solar roofs and gardens teach NY students about sustainability
Solar panels installed on the roof of a public school in New York City are offering students the opportunity to learn lessons on climate change and other environmental concerns. In 2003, Professor Vicki Sando created a garden in the Greenwich Village School terrace that didn’t really catch on at first. It was only 10 years later that she managed to install a solar panel and transform the school’s rooftop garden into the 15,000 square feet of plant life it is today.
“What we try to do is integrate it into what they’re already learning because, to be honest, their day is already packed with requirements, whether it’s English or math or science,” Sando said. “For solar panels, we’ll talk about energy. We made connections between plant study. Plants are little solar cells. I had my fifth graders take apart a solar calculator and show them how it worked. We don’t have a stand-alone curriculum on solar, but we’ll do projects where we’ll fold it into it.”
The facility allows students to understand how a clean and renewable energy generator works and how important it is to the environment. The project was an incentive to the city and state and US$28 million will be invested for solar panels to be installed in 24 public schools until the summer of 2016. Meanwhile, students at Greenwich Village School continue to practice gardening and learn about sustainability through its green terrace.
“The generations of kids now, especially in elementary school, they’re going to have a really hard time,” Sando said. “If they don’t have that interest or exposure to our environment, they’re in trouble. I mean, we already are in trouble right now. You want to present it so they’re not scared, but you want to empower them.”
Via: Capital New York
The post Solar roofs and gardens teach NY students about sustainability appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Solar roofs and gardens teach NY students about sustainability
Solar panels installed on the roof of a public school in New York City are offering students the opportunity to learn lessons on climate change and other environmental concerns. In 2003, Professor Vicki Sando created a garden in the Greenwich Village School terrace that didn’t really catch on at first. It was only 10 years later that she managed to install a solar panel and transform the school’s rooftop garden into the 15,000 square feet of plant life it is today.
“What we try to do is integrate it into what they’re already learning because, to be honest, their day is already packed with requirements, whether it’s English or math or science,” Sando said. “For solar panels, we’ll talk about energy. We made connections between plant study. Plants are little solar cells. I had my fifth graders take apart a solar calculator and show them how it worked. We don’t have a stand-alone curriculum on solar, but we’ll do projects where we’ll fold it into it.”
The facility allows students to understand how a clean and renewable energy generator works and how important it is to the environment. The project was an incentive to the city and state and US$28 million will be invested for solar panels to be installed in 24 public schools until the summer of 2016. Meanwhile, students at Greenwich Village School continue to practice gardening and learn about sustainability through its green terrace.
“The generations of kids now, especially in elementary school, they’re going to have a really hard time,” Sando said. “If they don’t have that interest or exposure to our environment, they’re in trouble. I mean, we already are in trouble right now. You want to present it so they’re not scared, but you want to empower them.”
Via: Capital New York
The post Solar roofs and gardens teach NY students about sustainability appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
In today's Interesting Engineering we have the following
Text message is sent to Swedish blood donors when they save a life
Blood donation in some of the high income countries around the globe has been on the increase over the last decade by as much as 25%, there is still the need for more volunteers. The NHS Blood and Transport organisation in the UK said recently that in the UK the amount of blood donors has dropped by 40% compared to the same time 10 years ago. They are hoping to attract around 204,000 volunteer this year in order to ensure that stocked blood remains at a safe level. In Sweden the rates have been on the decline too but they have come up with a novel way of attracting people to donate. They send a text message to those who donated when blood has been used to save the life of another person.
A spokesperson for the Blodcentralen in Sweden said that they wanted to offer something back to blood donors and sending a text message was a great way of doing this as it’s a great feeling knowing that you helped to save a life.
The text message is automated and thanks the donor for supplying a donation and then updates that person whenever their blood is used to help someone. The program has been going for three years and has received positive results.
The service may begin in Australia where just 1 in 30 people donate. They are hoping to boost the amount of people giving blood in order to be able to meet demands in the future. It is hoped that retailers along with brand names and celebrities will help to encourage people to give blood and maybe the text messages will help in the promotion of blood donation in other parts of the world.
Via [ScienceAlert]
The post Text message is sent to Swedish blood donors when they save a life appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
Text message is sent to Swedish blood donors when they save a life
Blood donation in some of the high income countries around the globe has been on the increase over the last decade by as much as 25%, there is still the need for more volunteers. The NHS Blood and Transport organisation in the UK said recently that in the UK the amount of blood donors has dropped by 40% compared to the same time 10 years ago. They are hoping to attract around 204,000 volunteer this year in order to ensure that stocked blood remains at a safe level. In Sweden the rates have been on the decline too but they have come up with a novel way of attracting people to donate. They send a text message to those who donated when blood has been used to save the life of another person.
[Image Courtesy of ScienceAlert]
A spokesperson for the Blodcentralen in Sweden said that they wanted to offer something back to blood donors and sending a text message was a great way of doing this as it’s a great feeling knowing that you helped to save a life.
The text message is automated and thanks the donor for supplying a donation and then updates that person whenever their blood is used to help someone. The program has been going for three years and has received positive results.
The service may begin in Australia where just 1 in 30 people donate. They are hoping to boost the amount of people giving blood in order to be able to meet demands in the future. It is hoped that retailers along with brand names and celebrities will help to encourage people to give blood and maybe the text messages will help in the promotion of blood donation in other parts of the world.
Via [ScienceAlert]
The post Text message is sent to Swedish blood donors when they save a life appeared first on Interesting Engineering.
